DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - The holiday season is in full swing, the time of year when you think about everything you're thankful for.
Maybe its a warm house, a family car, or it might just be a brother to chase around the living room.
Meet the Samuels.
"We've been knowing each other all our lives, but we got together 37, 40 years later, and we adopted two little boys, Alan, and William," said Joyce Samuel, the boys mother.
Allen is 11, younger brother William is 9. They've been part of the "Sam Fam" through foster care since they were 4 and 5, but the first couple of months weren't so picture perfect.
"Oh they're just boys being boys (laughter) Well the reality of it is yeah its boys being boys, with a lot of things that went along with it, so it was a shock to my system," said James Samuel.
The bothers came from a situation where they were neglected, behind in school, experienced abuse, and didn't have much structure.
That's no longer the case.
"They're just awesome young men, they love the Lord, my baby William, loves to dance," said Joyce.
That he does, just turn on Michael Jackson, and you're in for a show. One that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for James and Joyce.
"My prayer was just to do what I needed to do where I could get them to a place that they could truly love and it wouldn't be superficial, and that's where they are now," said Joyce.
"We are just two people who believe that every child should have a right to make choices, and a right to a productive life," said James.
Alan and William are well on their way. Alan wants to be apart of the secret service when he grows up. William just made the honor roll at school.
Small victories, yet so much to be thankful for.
